"Thank you very much for your help and for your insight into local life."

Cabo Verde's cultural capital lies on the bay of Porto Grande, generally seen as one of the most beautiful in the world. The city was only the last to be permenantly habited out of the nine habited islands, but today Mindelo is the second biggest city in the country after the capital, Praia.

Mindelo was the home of Cape Verde's 'queen' Cesaria Evora. The city receives visitors from all over the world who come to enjoy traditionial Cape Verdean music such as Morna and Coladeira. The city's annual Carnival is the biggest in the country, and turns the city into 'Brazilim' (little Brazil) for a week, attracting more and more cultureseekers from all over the world.

But the city has much more to offer than it's cultural nightlife. Enjoy Laginha, Mindelo's city beach, hike to Monte Verde, visit the fishmarket or go for a walk down Avenida Marginal to see an amazing sunset.

Mindelocaboverde.com provides you with the best of São Vicente and Santo Antão, so start planning your stay now!

"Mindelocaboverde made sure everything was arranged so that I could have a nice stay in Cabo Verde: in Mindelo and Santo Antão. So I really recommend to everyone to use their services." - Leila, France

Accommodations in Mindelo

The best B&B's and Residencials.

In Mindelo you have the choice between the more traditional hotels and smaller accomodations like a 'Residencial' and a Bed and Breakfast. We have selected our favorites for you.

Bed and Breakfast Carvalho

Brand new family run B&B just two minutes away from the beautiful Laginha beach. 4 amazing rooms for both singles and couples, and a delicious breakfast to get your day started. Airport pick-up and special group prices available.

*Single €30 a night, Double €45 a night.

B&B Vannilla

B&B Vannilla is another brand new Bed and Breakfast opened by Katy Morais, a young and ambitious local. Vannilla is located in a beautiful spot of Mindelo, in a spot that has an amazing view. Enjoy this view while having a delicious breakfast in the morning.

*Book direct with us on Mindelocaboverde.com*

Residencial Laginha

This great accomodation right of Laginha Beach offers various types of rooms, different services and an amazing view of the beach from the large and comfertable roofterrace.

Residencial Jenny

Located in the calm neighborhood Alto Sao Nicolau, Jenny has without a doubt one of the most beautiful views of the city. A perfect place for larger groups because of it's many rooms.

Prefer to stay in another Hotel/B&B while in Mindelo? Please visit: Booking.com

Restaurants & Bars

Porta Azul

New nightlife hotspot

Bar/Restaurant Porta Azul is one of Mindelo's new nightlife spots, but already among the most popular. A beautiful interior design, great menu and special weekly (music)events: a must during your stay in Mindelo!

*Adress; Rua Senador Vera Cruz, two minutes from Praça Nova.

Bar Estrela

Home cooked traditional Cape Verdean meals

Bar Estrela is a lovely small restaurant with only a few tables were owner Lidya prepares home cooked meals that will make you taste 'the real Cabo Verde'. Sitting at on of the tables if would be easy to forget you're in a restaurant. I might feel more as if your dining at Lidya's house! Bar Estrela is located next to 'The Palace', just left from the roundabout.

The local bar/restaurant that you recommended was SUPERB!!! The fish that they served was the best that we tried on the islands!

Jelizaveta, Russia

Pub Art

Eating Sushi in Cape Verde

Pub Art is really diversifying nightlife in Mindelo. Not scared to try new things, the owners of this special bar serve sushi (!), while entertaining the public with Jazz music or the beats of an invited DJ. Don't forget to taste one of the delicious cocktails!

Pub Art is located 'a few steps' from famous Praça Nova.

What to do

Tips & Tours

Read our blogposts for more info on things to do in Mindelo!

Visit the villages

The beautiful fishermen villages of São Vicente

São Pedro, Salamansa, Calhau and Baia das Gatas all are worth a vistit during your stay on the Island. In these fishermen villages you can still experience life on the islands as it was many years ago. From Praça Estrela you have daily 'collectivo's' that can take you to each one of them. Price per person: cve 100-150 depending on your destination.

Mindelo's city beach Laginha is located very close to the city center. To get there simply walk down the lovely Avenida Marginal boulevard, passing the harbour and port on your way. A brand new beach club opened at Laginha to serve your needs during a lazy beach day, and also along the boulevard there are bars and cafés to enjoy drinks. lunch and live music at night.

Cachupa with Filo

An authentic cachupa experience

This slow cooked stew of corn, beans, cassava, sweet potato, fish or meat, is often referred to as the country's national dish. Dona Filo invites you into her home were you can see her prepare the cachupa on an open fire, and while the cachupa is cooking you can enjoy a tour of Ribeira Bote, one of Mindelo's most interesting neighborhoods.

*Please use our contactform to make your reservation. Price per person: cve 1.500

"Our visit to the neighborhood of Ribeira Bote, was the best part of our entire stay in Cape Verde!" - Guests from Germany

Mindelo Events

As Cabo Verde's cultural capital Mindelo offers a variety of festivals and events all year long, with Carnival, Baia das Gatas Festival and New Years's eve as the three biggest and most popular among locals and visitors.

Read our blogposts for more info on things to do in Mindelo!

Carnival

Mindelo becomes 'Brazilim'

Carnival in Mindelo starts right after New Years, when the Mandinga groups take over the streets on sunday. The offical groups prepare their parade and music and drums can be heard in the streets of Mindelo almost each night.

The tuesday of Carnival four groups battle for the titel in the amazing parade competition with thousands of spectators along the route.

Baia das Gatas Festival has a long tradition. Today it is Cabo Verde's biggest Music festival, receiving many thousands of visitors and big internatinal artists. The 2015 edition brought Nelson Freitas and reggae giants Morgan Herritage to Mindelo, in 2016 C4 Pedro and Gentleman were the headliners of another amazing edition of Baia das Gatas Music Festival.

On New Year's Eve Mindelo's streets fill with people celebrating the coming of a new year. Rua de Lisboa, Mindelo's main street is closed of and a huge stage is set up. The celebration of 2016 had international star Djodje and his Broda Music crew as headliners.

Blog

Our blogposts provide you with more info on Mindelo: events, tours and tips :)

"If you want to know about things to do in Mindelo and/or about Cape Verdean culture and its people, this is the place."

Cape Verde is a fantastic travel destination. Each of the islands has something special and unique to offer its visitors. Sal, Maio and Boavista are known for their beaches and sand dunes, Santo Antão and São Nicolau are known for their mountains and hiking trails. Island hopping in Cape Verde,...

Going Local Mindelo has yet to see the numbers of foreign visitors traveling to Sal and Boavista. Sure, events such as Carnival attract more visitors to the city than during others times of the year. There is still a huge difference if you compare the islands. 90% of people visiting Cape Verde...

By Freddy Gomes One of Cesaria Evora's most famous sayings is "Mindelo is a little Brazil". Brazilians are known all around the world for their dancing, partying and lifestyle in general. Cape Verdeans have these same quality's. Especially Mindelo is known to have a population that loves a good...

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Carnival in Mindelo Carnival is probably the most important celebration in Cape Verde. In a country where culture, dance and music are a big part of the people's lives, it's no surprise that the week of Carnival means so much. The city of Mindelo hosts the biggest and best Carnival...

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About Us

Hi, my name is Freddy Gomes

I have a dream. I see a Cape Verde where, thanks to one of the world's most beautiful sectors (tourism), development and progress is for everyone. I see a tourism sector that is full of sustainable, responsible and fair tourism initiatives.

This dream I have is now becoming reality with Mindelocaboverde.com. When I first got in to the Cape Verdean tourism sector in 2014, I was the first (!) of the country to join Pack For A Purpose. This organization encourages people who travel to developing country's to support local projects by bringing them school supplies (for example).

A few months later me and an amazing team of residents of one of Cape Verde's most notorious neighborhoods took a starting budget of € 180 (!!) to create the biggest Urban Street Art project the country has ever seen.

The starting budget for the Sonvela Arte project was exactly 1/4 of my earnings up until november 2014. I had made a commitment to save up 25% of my total income with my Airbnb activities on the islands. And I will continue to do so!

If possible, please book with Mindelocaboverde.com. Your support means I can continue to change the tourism sector in Cape Verde.